Race Truck
Built by Richard Marsden in September 2026
We were supposed to be shopping for something else but somehow ended up in The Entertainer. I was pleasantly surprised to see about a square meter of shelf frontage devoted to Meccano, and obviously I had to reward that with a purchase, specifically Model 25212 from the 10 in 1 range.
The model was fun to build; I always find it relaxing to follow instructions someone else has written. The model is not realistic in the strictest sense, but it does convey a good impression of a 4X4 off-roader and I’m sure I’d play with it to destruction if I were seventy years younger.
If I have any criticism, it’s not obvious for about the first quarter of the build how what you’ve built will turn into the finished model. I don’t find this a problem, but I could see how it could cause a child to give up. I think the 8+ rating is optimistic too. It would take a pretty determined eight-year-old to complete this model, especially without any experience of building simpler ones. I’m guessing these models are bought for children, not by them (or for grandparents for themselves).
Incidentally, I noticed that the box carried not just the Spin Master logo, but also one for Addo Play Ltd, who, it says on the box, have a licence from Spin Master to use the Meccano trademark. Addo Play is part of the Teal Group, who also own The Entertainer. There is a long statement on the official Meccano website that implies, if I read it correctly, that Addo Play has taken over the development, sales and marketing from Spin Master, while the latter retains ownership of the brand. Meccano will, it says, continue to be available from other outlets besides The Entertainer.